4.7 from 21 votes
Lemon Kale Pesto Pasta
A delish Lemon Kale Pesto Pasta that's the perfect bridge from winter to spring!
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
20 mins
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 607 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Mediterranean
Ingredients
- ½ cup olive oil
- 10 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 2 bunches dinosaur kale, stems and center veins removed and washed and rinsed dry
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 lemons, zested and juice (divided)
- ½ cup pine nuts (optional if you prefer to omit)
- Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
- 1 lb small pasta shells
- ½ cup ricotta cheese
- ⅓ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the garlic and saute for 15-20 seconds until fragrant. Remove from the heat immediately and add the kale, red pepper flakes and the lemon zest from 1 lemon. Stir to combine. Let the kale wilt and set aside. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer the kale mixture to a food processor and add the optional pine nuts and pulse to combine for 45 seconds. Once it's semi-smooth, transfer it back to the skillet and set aside.
- Cook the pasta according to the package directions and reserve ½ cup of the pasta water. Drain the pasta and reserve
- Heat the kale mixture over medium heat to warm through. Add the pasta, parmesan, ricotta and a little bit of the reserved pasta water and stir to combine. If the sauce is too thick, add more pasta water to thin it out a bit. Taste and adjust salt, pepper, lemon zest, juice and red pepper flakes.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Kale is a bit more work to prep for pesto than basil, but once you try it I guarantee you'll find it worth the effort!
Nutrition Information
Calories
607kcal
(30%)
Carbohydrates
66g
(22%)
Protein
18g
(36%)
Fat
32g
(49%)
Saturated Fat
6g
(30%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
7g
Monounsaturated Fat
17g
Cholesterol
14mg
(5%)
Sodium
141mg
(6%)
Potassium
490mg
(14%)
Fiber
6g
(24%)
Sugar
4g
(8%)
Vitamin A
4574IU
(91%)
Vitamin C
61mg
(68%)
Calcium
256mg
(26%)
Iron
3mg
(17%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 607
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 607kcal | 30% |
| Carbohydrates | 66g | 22% |
| Protein | 18g | 36% |
| Fat | 32g | 49% |
| Saturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 7g | 41% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 17g | 85% |
| Cholesterol | 14mg | 5% |
| Sodium | 141mg | 6% |
| Potassium | 490mg | 10% |
| Fiber | 6g | 24% |
| Sugar | 4g | 8% |
| Vitamin A | 4574IU | 91% |
| Vitamin C | 61mg | 68% |
| Calcium | 256mg | 26% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.